A timeline of Gadhafi's Libya, from riches to rebellion
Dec. 24, 1951: King Idris I declares independence from Italy.
By Amr Nabil, AP
1959: Discovery of oil turns one of the poorest countries into one of the richest.
Sept. 1, 1969: Gadhafi leads military coup.
April 5, 1986: Terrorist bombing at West Berlin disco frequented by U.S. military kills three, wounds 229. U.S. retaliates with rocket attacks on Gadhafi's residence, other targets; reports say 45-60 people killed.
Dec. 21, 1988:Pan Am Flight 103 explodes over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 259 people onboard, 11 on the ground. Explosive is traced to Libya, leading to U.S. and U.N. sanctions in 1992.
April 5, 1999: Two Libyan officials are turned over to Scottish authorities for trial. Sanctions are suspended.
Dec. 19, 2003: Libya promises to eliminate weapons of mass destruction and nuclear programs, which eventually leads to full diplomatic relations between U.S. and Libya.
Aug. 20, 2009: Scotland's government frees Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi after doctors say he is likely to die of cancer within three months. He is still alive.
Feb. 16-18, 2011: Pro-democracy protesters take control of several eastern cities, including Benghazi, the second largest. Gadhafi forces kill dozens of protesters.
Feb. 27: Libyan opposition announces the formation of a Transitional National Council to rule rebel-held east.
March 18: U.N. Security Council backs a no-fly zone over Libya and "all necessary measures" to protect civilians. U.S. leads NATO airstrikes destroying anti-air defences, then other NATO countries take the lead.
July 15: President Obama recognizes the Transitional National Council as Libya's legal government.
July 27: Abdel-Fattah Younis, former Libyan interior minister who defected to lead rebel forces, is killed in custody of another rebel faction.
Aug. 22: Rebel forces enter Tripoli.
Reported by Oren Dorell. Sources: State Department, CIA World Factbook, Victims of Flight 103 Inc., the Associated Press
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